Susan Patrick
President & CEO
International Association for K-12 Online Learning (INACOL)

As the President of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (INACOL), I believe online learning is a powerful innovation that expands educational opportunities. Online learning is transforming the way students learn and leveling the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds.

Online learning benefits all types of students. Special learning needs or medical conditions often make it difficult for some students to learn in a traditional classroom setting but by learning online at home they can still keep up with their schoolwork. Other students benefit from a hybrid model where they go to class but that time is used differently to accelerate learning or receive more direct support in areas where they need help most. Using technology, students receive more customized learning and can advance through course levels at different rates to engage and better utilize time while meeting their individual learning needs.

These different learning models also create solutions where online learning can be applied to ensure students are maximizing their potential. Those who have fallen behind can recover credits online and advanced students can have broader access to advanced placement courses, more foreign languages, advanced science and math courses and other accelerated courses in a variety of subject areas. We believe that online learning is a viable option that allows every learner to achieve a quality education.

With broadband serving as the key enabler of a new, web-based delivery system, students across the country are gaining access to high quality teachers, anytime tutoring, high quality, multi-media learning resources and more customized, any pace learning models. As an international K-12 non-profit organization, we represent the interests of administrators, practitioners and students involved in online learning in the United States and abroad. Our mission is to ensure all students have access to a world-class education and quality online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success.

Broadband plays a key role in the way online learning is fundamentally shifting what a world class education looks like. It is important every student has access to these exciting and transforming benefits of online education. For that to happen, it is important that the government to develop a national broadband strategy as well as maintain a proactive policy environment for private entities to encourage the investment of billions of dollars in a sophisticated, reliable national network.

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